Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1
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1-1 DATA COMMUNICATIONS
The term telecommunication means communication at a
distance. The word data refers to information presented
in whatever form is agreed upon by the parties creating
and using the data. Data communications are the
exchange of data between two devices via some form of
transmission medium such as a wire cable.
Topics discussed in this section:
Components
Data Representation
Data Flow
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Figure 1.1 Five components of data communication
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Figure 1.2 Data flow (simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex)
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1-2 NETWORKS
A network is a set of devices (often referred to as nodes)
connected by communication links. A node can be a
computer, printer, or any other device capable of sending
and/or receiving data generated by other nodes on the
network.
Topics discussed in this section:
Distributed Processing
Network Criteria
Physical Structures
Network Models
Categories of Networks
Interconnection of Networks: Internetwork
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Figure 1.3 Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint
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Figure 1.4 Categories of topology
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Figure 1.5 A fully connected mesh topology (five devices)
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Figure 1.6 A star topology connecting four stations
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Figure 1.7 A bus topology connecting three stations
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Figure 1.8 A ring topology connecting six stations
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Figure 1.9 A hybrid topology: a star backbone with three bus networks
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Figure 1.10 An isolated LAN connecting 12 computers to a hub in a closet
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Figure 1.11 WANs: a switched WAN and a point-to-point WAN
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Figure 1.12 A heterogeneous network made of four WANs and two LANs
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1-3 THE INTERNET
The Internet has revolutionized many aspects of our daily
lives. It has affected the way we do business as well as the
way we spend our leisure time. The Internet is a
communication system that has brought a wealth of
information to our fingertips and organized it for our use.
Topics discussed in this section:
A Brief History
The Internet Today (ISPs)
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Figure 1.13 Hierarchical organization of the Internet
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1-4 PROTOCOLS AND STANDARDS
In this section, we define two widely used terms: protocols
and standards. First, we define protocol, which is
synonymous with rule. Then we discuss standards, which
are agreed-upon rules.
Topics discussed in this section:
Protocols
Standards
Standards Organizations
Internet Standards
1.18